August 31, 2017 (Escondido) – Located high above the San Pasqual Valley in Escondido, winery Domaine Artefact secured prestigious wins at the 37th San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Sunset International Wine Competition. The honors draw attention to an emerging, thriving wine region called Highland Valley, located just west of Ramona.

The San Francisco International Wine Competition awards are divided into four levels: bronze, silver, gold and double gold. Judges know only the varietal and vintage of each wine being judged. The competition included over 4,300 wines from 30 countries around the world.

Domaine Artefact San Francisco International Wine Competition Awards

2016 Grenache Rose “Les Printemps” – Silver

2015 Syrah – Silver

2015 Red Rhone Blend “As the Crow Flies” – Silver

2016 White Rhone Blend “Les Beaux Blancs” – Bronze

“These wins are special to us for the validation of our hard work and passion for our craft,” said Mark Robinson, who runs the winery with his wife, Lynn LaChapelle. “We’re elated to win, and we’re thrilled for the exposure it provides for our blossoming Highland Valley wine region.”

Domaine Artefact also won awards for three out of the three wines it submitted to the Sunset International Wine Competition. The winery picked up a coveted gold, a silver and a bronze award from for its 2016 Les Beaux Blancs, 2015 As the Crow Flies and 2016 Les Printemps Rosé, respectively. Sunset Magazine will publish a list of the gold and silver winners in its October issue.

“Owning and running a winery has been of a dream of ours for many years, and we’re thrilled to receive such high honors for our first estate red and second estate white wine bottling,” said LaChapelle.

Domaine Artefact, a family-owned winery and vineyard, is dedicated to growing Rhône grape varietals and vinifying and blending them in traditional and innovative manners. Founded in 2014, Domaine Artefact consists of over 15,000 vines on 30 acres of land in Escondido, California’s Highland Valley.

The winery is named for the artifacts, some dating up to 8,000 years old, unearthed on the property during an archaeological survey commissioned by the winery. The artifacts were curated and now reside in the San Bernardino Indian Museum.